Re: MapSource unlocks - the final straw...

I think a "better" way to go about this is to do some research on what you
get, for how much, from other vendors...

While I agree with you that Garmin's policy regarding software is quirky at
best, and frequently reeks of unfriendliness.... I strongly suspect that
they can do this because they have no real competition... We live in a
capitalist society, where companies are allowed to go for the big bucks if
they can... and they do...

I'll also add that Garmin is not the only culprit (in this case)... They
buy their cartography from a supplier, and I believe that the license rules
of said supplier (Navteq) cause some of these problems...

But if you do find a GPS system that works as well as Garmin, with a better
software policy, please do report back and let us all know... Then the flood
of defectors will force Garmin to change theirs...

Al...


"Burnie M" <burniem@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:fbb7629ies3m768f3rgq9tbvdma5uk2ofo@xxxxxxxxxx
Ever looked at the CoPilot unlock policy ?

You pay more for a single unit only




On 11 May 2006 10:30:21 -0700, simon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Garmin have finally got back to me with answers to my queries about
MapSource unlocks.

I pointed out that you can't even find out how much an unlock for an
additional unit costs without providing a serial number, necessitating
the purchase of the new unit before you can see how much you need to
pay to put your maps on it. I have now found that to unlock City
Navigator 8 Europe for an additional GPS costs over $170. That's
compared to a new "automotive kit" (the only way to buy City Nav Europe
- you can't buy the disc on its own) for £135.

Even worse, once you have bought MapSource and registered it to the
first unit, that unit is always the unit for which one unlock is used
every time you upgrade. Even if you don't even own that GPS any more,
it still takes one of your two unlocks each time you pay for an
upgrade, and there is apparently no way around this.

So the next time the cartography is updated, to use it on two new GPS
units I've bought since I first unlocked it (having sold the original
unit), I would have to pay a $75 upgrade fee, and $170 on top for the
third unlock.

I'm sorry, Garmin, but you just lost me as a customer. I can't believe
this policy - especially not the part about having one unlock
permanently used on every upgrade. Surely other people have complained
about this?

S.



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: MapSource unlocks - the final straw...
    ... that unit is always the unit for which one unlock is used ... upgrade, and there is apparently no way around this. ... This is why, when you sell a GPS unit, you sell the maps with it. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: MapSource unlocks - the final straw...
    ... Ever looked at the CoPilot unlock policy? ... You pay more for a single unit only ... MapSource unlocks. ... upgrade, and there is apparently no way around this. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock
    ... present you with a new code that could never be used again on the GPS ... longer have maps loaded. ... At least Garmin got an agreement that allows for two unlock codes. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock
    ... He has an unlocked GPS with maps on it possibly. ... The unlock software would remove all maps on the GPS and present you with a new code that could never be used again on the GPS that you unlocked. ... This would probably mean Garmin would have to keep a database of locked and unlocked serial numbers for you. ... You have failed to grasp the fact that the mapsource product can be installed on an infinite number of PCs, none of which need to be connected to Garmin in order to download to the GPS handset, and all of which are capable of being backed up and restored to some previous state where the old unlock key was still valid. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)
  • Re: Getting Fed Up With MapSource Unlock
    ... He has an unlocked GPS with maps on it possibly. ... Garmin to do this they would have to have a way to disable the locks on ... At least Garmin got an agreement that allows for two unlock codes. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)